Frederick Delius

Frederick Delius

Frederick Theodore Albert Delius (29 January 1862 – 10 June 1934) was an English composer. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, to a prosperous mercantile family of German origin, he resisted attempts to recruit him to commerce. He was sent to Florida in the United States in 1884 to manage an orange plantation, but soon neglected his managerial duties in favor of studying music. He returned to Europe in 1886 and entered the Leipzig Conservatory. There he met the composer Edvard Grieg, who became a lifelong friend and mentor.

Early Life

Delius was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the second of four sons of Julius Delius and his wife Elise Pauline, née Krönig. His parents were German immigrants who had become naturalized British citizens. Julius Delius was a successful wool merchant, and the family lived in a large house in Bradford.

Education and Early Career

Delius was educated at the Bradford Grammar School and the International College, Isleworth. He showed an early interest in music, but his father was determined that he should enter the family business. In 1884, Delius was sent to Florida to manage an orange plantation. However, he spent most of his time studying music with Thomas F. Ward, a local organist and teacher.

Musical Development

In 1886, Delius returned to Europe and enrolled at the Leipzig Conservatory. There he studied under Carl Reinecke and Salomon Jadassohn. He also met Edvard Grieg, who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Delius's early works were influenced by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, but he soon developed his own distinctive style.

Major Works

Delius's major works include the operas A Village Romeo and Juliet and Koanga, the orchestral pieces Brigg Fair and On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, and the choral work A Mass of Life. His music is characterized by its lush harmonies, rich orchestration, and evocative use of nature imagery.

Later Life and Legacy

Delius spent most of his later life in France, where he lived with his wife, the painter Jelka Rosen. He continued to compose despite suffering from syphilis, which eventually left him paralyzed and blind. He died in 1934 and was buried in Limpsfield, Surrey.

Delius's music fell out of favor after his death, but it has since been rediscovered and championed by conductors such as Sir Thomas Beecham and Sir Charles Mackerras. Today, he is regarded as one of the most important English composers of the early 20th century.

References in Popular Culture

Delius's music has been used in numerous films, television shows, and commercials. His life and work have also been the subject of several biographies and documentaries.

See Also

• List of compositions by Frederick Delius
• English music
• Romantic music